Governor Murphy once again demonstrated his strong environmental leadership by signing the bipartisan Flood Defense Act into law today. The Flood Defense Act gives New Jersey communities the authority to better clean up polluted runoff and defend themselves against damaging flooding.

NEWARK, NJ — Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, released the following statement today on the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement of a new Natural Resource Damage lawsuit:

"We are thrilled Attorney General Grewel and Commissioner McCabe are continuing to build on Governor Murphy’s commitment to hold polluters accountable in New Jersey for the harm they’ve caused to our businesses, families, and environment. Holding ExxonMobil accountable for the extensive contamination at the 12-acre Lail property in Gloucester County will help restore the community damaged by pollution. This is a significant change in course from the Christie Administration which was more interested in settling for pennies on the dollar with Exxon than protecting our communities and following the strong laws we have in place to do so.

TRENTON, NJ- Today, Governor Murphy announced his proposed budget for FY20, which included several changes to environmental priorities.

“We are excited to see the restoration the of Clean Energy Fund program to its mission and the prioritization of climate change resiliency,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “In the past, this fund was used to pay for dirty fossil fuel energy or to plug budget holes, instead of investing in a clean energy future. Governor Murphy has made it clear that the environment continues to be a top priority even after an impressive first year of pro-conservation actions. We’ll be looking at funding for the DEP to ensure the state can hold polluters accountable and expand critical conservation programs.”

"Governor Murphy and his administration have steadfastly stood by their commitment to 100% clean energy by 2050, and because of that, we are beginning to see the makings of a fossil-free New Jersey. We are thrilled to see the decision to withdraw from the ongoing litigation and the letter from the Attorney General's office asking the court not to move forward. Thank you to the administration and all of the groups who fought tirelessly to stop this unnecessary pipeline, especially Pinelands Preservation Alliance."

“As the Trump administration continued its assault on our most important environmental protections, we’re more determined than ever before to hold members of Congress accountable for putting polluters ahead of our families,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “During the 2018 midterms, New Jersey voters sent a clear message to Congress—if you side with polluters and score low on environmental issues, you will be voted out. The 2018 National Environmental Scorecard demonstrated we can count on Senators Booker and Menendez, as well as Representatives Pallone, Watson Coleman, Pascrell, Payne, Sires and Norcross to consistently fight for us.”

The lawmakers who are spreading false information in an attempt to block the bipartisan Flood Defense Act are not only losing the trust of their constituents, but are turning their backs on clean water and safe communities for New Jersey families and businesses. We call on these lawmakers to end their politically motivated campaign of deceit and unite behind a common-sense goal of protecting New Jersey’s clean drinking water.

TRENTON, NJ—Lee M. Clark, Watershed Outreach Manager for New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, has been appointed to serve a five-year term as a commissioner to the Phillipsburg Housing Authority.

“New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and our Flood Defense New Jersey partners are so pleased to see this bill on track to become law,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV). “New Jersey has a $16 billion problem to address stormwater and defend our communities from flooding. We look forward to Governor Murphy signing this bill so local municipalities will finally have a proven model to address this growing threat.”

TRENTON, NJ- Today, Governor Murphy released a letter to the Delaware River Basin Commission calling for a full ban on fracking activities, including the importation and exportation of fracking waste, within the Delaware River Basin.

TRENTON, NJ- Today, the Flood Defense Act passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee, clearing the way for a full Assembly floor vote, which could happen as soon as this Thursday. The bill, A2694/S1073, enables municipalities to create much-needed local stormwater programs to control flooding and reduce pollution. It previously passed the Assembly Telecommunications & Utilities Committee on October 22 of last year.